Automobile frame straightener



July 1o, 192s. 1,676,263

.P. o. HAwKlNs AUTOMOBILE-FRAME STRAIGHTENER 4 Filed oct. 22'.' 1924 z sheets-sneez 1 P. o. HAwKlNs AUTOMOBILE FRAME STRAIGHTNER .Filed oct I so throughout the s ciications and drawings.

36 which may ass through said spacers.'

' v .Intermediate the ends of the beams A is Patented July .10, 12928.

UNIT

l I 1,676,263 ,FIC''.i

ATEN- PEMY 0. HAWKINS, OF HAMMOND, LNDIANA.

AUTOMOBILE FRAME' STBAIGHTENER.

Application lleductober- 22. 1924. Serial No. 745,055.

l tural parts of an automobile which are likely 'i the channel elements A. The bottoms of the to become bent in service. Other objects will appear in the course of the specifications and claims. I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawin s wherein:

igure 1 is aside elevation of my invention.;

Fig. 2 is a plan view;v

v Fig. 4 is a similar sect-ion along the line 4`4 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 5 isan end view;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one use of myl device; and

Fig. 7 is a plan-view illustrating another use of my device.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols AA are para el, longitudinally disposed channelbeams which may be spaced apart, for example, by the spacers A1 andare secured together, for example, by the bolts A2 pivoted a transverse crank element B having that two .arms fBl'with the outwardly turned portions-B2 on which rotate the supporting wheels B,l Bfisa ulle rotating a out the crank Band exten ing tween the channel members A-A. B is a lever pivoted to one of the arms B1' intermediate its ends and pivotedA at its opposite end to the lever B the inner end of ,which-11sA pivoted on the vertical' pinBT. n y Adjacent the leftend of the device, as

`shown in Fi 1, and. 2, is pivoted the lever C' having a lorked lower portion comprising the arms C `which are pivotedv as at yC2 to elements A are at that end of the device joined-'by the bottom late C held in posi-` tion for example, by t e bolts C6.

' steamy positioned on emplea 0 is'the .feed pawlA rearwardly inclined teeth D1. IAt its rear.

end is provided a massive, upturned double hook element D2. D3 is a retaining pawl pivoted between the elements A, and D4 is a ivoted between the lever ele'- ments C1 sllghtly 'above the pivot point of the lever itself. D6 is a pulley pivoted between the elements A adjacent the inner end of the toothed bar D.

Adjacent the middle of the device is posivided with a. cross pin E4 adapted -to ride upon the upper flanges of the channel bars Fi 3 is a transverse, vertical section along A `the line 3-3 Aof Fig. 1;

The member E (which is also of channel stock, is provided with a second cross pin Eadjacent its end. E'is a securing hook positioned on the element E and adjustable along the adjustin apertures E".

G, indicated in oted lines in Fig. 1, rep'- resents a fixed block of wood or other matebe' used to take the lace of the jack E, the jack elements E and) vcentrally notched as at H".

It will be realized that while have shown a practical and operative device, nevertheless, many changes 1n size, shape, number without departing from the spirit of .the invention and I,- therefore, wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative -rather than as limiting me to the specific featureshereindescribedv and shown. Y .The use and oper are-as follows: ,j It frequently h appensfthatlight automobiles, and partie arly Fords, sufferV accidentsv and-collisions o various kinds which '.-offmy .invention vrial which may, under some circumstances, 4

Ea being at such time folded down into the position shown inv and disposition of the parts may be made bend the side frame membersn or the axles, or the axle housings or other'parts of the automobile. I provide a mechanism for straightening the members bent bgg-such accidents without dismantling the Lear;

Since the various members'fmay be bent in a variety of ways, I cannot indicate all the various uses to which my device may be put. I describe or show, however, some of the more important.

I It often happens that the side frame mem! bers are upwardly'bent as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1, K indicating the side frame members. In orderto remedy this condi.-l tion, I wheel my frame-bending device into position beneath the automobile, the w-heels or rollers B2 serving to make this easy. When the mechanism is in position I draw the wheels from the ioor by pulling on the lever Bu and thus rotatin the crank B and lifting the arms B1. Fthen posi- 1 tion a lwooden block G to provide a compression member between the side elements A and the intermediate portion of the frame member. It will be understood that when this block is used the jack members E and E3 are folded to the osition shown in dotted line in Fig. 1. 'T e block-GrY being positioned, I secure any suitable hook K1 about the right end of the frame member as shown in Fig. 1 and catch thechain K2, which is secured to it, in the notch H, drawing the chain as tightly as possible. The size of -the notch I-Is is such that the link of the chain iits it snugly andl the suce ceeding link, being positioned transversely inrelation to the link fitted in the notch,

l serves to prevent upwardA movement of the chain. To the o osite end of the frame I secure the hook chain K4 the opposite end of which is caught in the double hook D2 on the toothed bar D, the chain passing around the ulley D. The hook K2 may be vmade with a thin, flat point inV order to penetrate between frame K and its overlying fender without necessitating the netraton or the removal of the fender. en the block G and the two hooks are in position, it will be observed that the frame member has a fixed tension connection K2 and a fixed compression connction G between it and the straightening device. tension alon the' chain K4 andthe frame member will straightened., This increase in tension is provided by the manual operatlon of the lever C; and it is observed that the exertion of a relatively small. pressurel against the top of the lever C to .move it through a considerable'arc is transformed 1nto a very powerful pull along the chain K4 exerted to advance the chain and to draw downr the end' of the frame a slight distance.

The retainin pawl Da movement o the bar re rents rearward `the member s to which is secured thel All that remains is to increase the v when pressure against the lever C is released and the lever be moved back for a second stroke.

mail'.

1g. 6 illustrates the straightenlng of the front axle of a Ford which has been forwardly bent, that is, with the `center of the axle in front of the ends. .I position my device with the vertical member H2 opposed 'E, the member E being adjusted about as shown in Fi 6, with the cross pin E* of 2 riding alon the members A. Ithen hook the chain to the lower cross pin E5 and carry it back to the hook f D2 on the bar D. Manipulation of the lever C will draw theflower end of the element E away from the automobile bein strai htened and will rotate the member and ius exert a tension on the chains which connect it to the outer ends of the axle.

.The result is a very rapid straightening of `the axle. l

Fig. 7 vdiagrammatically illustrates the straightening of the iront axle when itis bent in the opposite. direction, with the ends of the axle in advance of its central portion. I position my straightening device with the vertical member substantially beneath the front seat of the car and loop the chain K'I about it, connecting it with the outer ends ofthe axle. I then connect another chain Ks to the central portion lof the axle and pass it to the hook D2 of the bar D. The ends of the axle are thus kept stationary by the iirstchain and the tension exerted on the second chain by the lever C draws the center of the axle out even with its ends.

These examples will indicate the various ways in which my device may be used, and it cerning the employment of thefdevice.

I claim:

1 In an automobile frame straightener. a horizontal body-member, a jack element pivoted thereto intermediate its ends, ai lever mounted on said body member, means for connecting said lever with the automobile frame, comprising a toothed bar slidable along said body member, a flexible .member extending from said toothed' bar, and means for securing it v,to theautomobile frame.

2. In an automobile frame straightener, a

4vzfrelatively 4rigid horizontal element, longer than the automobile, a jack pivoted intermediate its ends, a toothed bar slidably mounted along said horizontal element, a

lll)

leverA controlling .said bar, and a connection v between said bar and said jack.-

3. In an automobile frame straightener, a relatively rigid horizontal element, longer than the automobile, a ,jack pivoted intermediate its ends, a toothed bar slidably mounted along said horizontal element lever controlling said bar, a connection ma is unnecessary to go into further 'detail conimanes tween said bar and said jack, an actuating pawl pivoted on lthe lower end of said lever, and a retaining pawl pivoted on said horizontal element.

4. In an automobile frame straightener, a relatively rigid horizontal element, longer than the automobile, a jack pivoted intermediate its ends, a toothed bar slidably mounted along said horizontal element, a lever controlling said bar, a connection between said bar'and said jack, --and a pulley mounted on said horizontal element.

5. In an automobile frame straightener, a relatively rigid horizontal element, longer than the automobile, a jack pivoted intermediate its ends, a toothed bar slidably mounted along said horizontal element, a lever controlling usaid bar, a connection be tween said bar .and said jack, and an upwardly projecting stop member laterally -spaced from said jack upon said horizontal element.

6. In an automobile frame straightener, a relatively rigid horizontal element,l longer than the automobile, a jack pivoted inter- Vmediate its ends, a toothed bar slidably mounted along saidjhorizontal element, a lever controlling said bar, a connection between said bar and said jack, a stop member pivoted on said horizontal element at a point longitudinally spaced from said jack, and a cross bar against which said stop abuts when in lan upright position. i,

7. In an automobileframestraightener, a relatively rigid horizontal element, longerv than the automobile, a' jack pivoted intermediate its ends, a vtoothed bar slidably mounted along said horizontal element, a lever controlling said bar, a connection bev tween said bar and said jack, a stop member pivoted onsaid horizontal element at a point longitudinally spaced from said jack, and a Jcross bar against whichsaid stop abuts when in an upright position, said cross b ar being notched.

8. Inv an automobile frame straightener, a rigid horizontal element.- anjack pivoted intermediate its ends, ,comprising one jack member pivoted to said horizontal element, and a second jack member pivoted adjacent `the outer end of the first, its outer end being slidable along said horizontal element.

9. In an automobile frame straightener, a rigid horizontal element, a jack plvoted intermediate its ends, comprising one jack member pivoted to said horizontal element,

Y and a second jack member pivoted adjacent the outer en d of the first, its outer end being` slidable along said horizontal element, a levei pivoted .on said horizontal element, and a `connection between it and the outer end of said second jack member.

10. In' an automobile frame straightener. a rigid horizontal element, a jack pivted intermediate its ends, comprising one jack connection between it andthe outer end of said second jack member, comprising a toothed plate 'slidable along said horizontal element, and a flexible connection between said plate and the outer end of said second jack element'.

11. In an automobile frame straightener, a rigid' horizontal element, a jack pivoted intermediate its ends, comprisinlg'one jack member pivoted to said horizontal element, and a second jack' member pivoted adjacent the outer end of the first, its outer end being slidable along said horizontal element,= a lever pivoted on said horizontal element, a, connection between it andthe outer end of `said second jack member, comprising a toothed plate slidablealong said'horizontal` element, and a; flexible connection between saidv plate and the outer end of said second vjack element, a pawll on said lever adapted taining pawl pivoted'on said horizontal element. l 12. In :anv automobile .frame straightener,

a relatively rigid horizontal extended ele- Uf ber longitudinally along said horizontal ele` menta I 13. a relatively rigid horizontal exten ed element, a jack positioned thereon, comprising a jack memberv pivoted to the longitudinal element, and a second jack member pivoted to the outer end ofthe first, the opposite en d 'l In of the second being slidable along the horlzontal element, means for moving the outer e end of said second jack member longitudinally along said horizontal "element, and a hook mountedon one of said jack members. H3

A14:. lIn .an v automobile frame strai htener, a relatively rigid horizontal exten ed ele, ment, a jack positioned thereon, comprising a jack member pivoted to the longitudinall element, and a second jack member pivoted to the outer end of the lirst, the opposite end'of the second being slidable along the. horizontal element,' me'ans` for moving' the outer end of said second/,jack member longitudinally along saidhorizontal element', and [23 a hook mounted .on one ot said y jack members and adjustable therealong. 15. In an automobile frame straightener, 'a relatively rigid horizontal vextended ele-- ment, a jack positionedthereon, comprising to engage the teeth of saidfplate, and a re-` In an automobile frame-strai hten'er, 105

e1ement,and a second jack member pivoted a jack member pivoted to the longitudinal end of the second being slidable along the horizontal element, means for movin the outer end of said second jack member ongitudinally along said horizontal element, and an upwardly projecting stop llongitudinally spaced from said jack along said horizontal element;

' 17. In an automobile frame straightener, a relatively rigid horizontal extended element, a jack positioned thereon, comprising a `jack member pivoted to the longitudinal element, and a second jack member pivoted to the outer end of the first, the opposite end of the second ,being slidable. a

ong the horizontal element, means for moving the outer end' of saidcsecond jack member longitudinally along said horizontal element, an upwardly projecting stop longitudinally spaced from said jack along said horizontal element, and a hook element positioned on the outer end thereof.

18. In an, automobile frame straightener, a relatively rigid horizontal extended element,- a jack positioned thereon, comprising a jack member pivoted to the longitudinal element, and a second jack member pivoted to the outer end of the first, the opposite end' I of the second being slidable along the horizontal element, means for moving the outer end of said second jack member-longitudinally along said horizontal element, an upv wardly projecting stop pivoted on ysaid -horizontal element, and longitudinally spaced from said jack. l

19. In an automobile frame straightening mechanism, a main frame member comprising a pair of channel beams secured back to back, spacing means ada ted to space them apart, a bottom late a jacent one end of said beams, a toot d bar slidable along said bottomplate, a lever pivoted to the channel members thereabove, a pawl pivoted on the bottom of said lever and adapted to engage said toothed plate, a retaining pawl pivoted above said plate between said channel beams, a jack positioned on said channel beams, and an operative connection between said jack and said toothed bar.

20. In an automobile frame straightening mechanism, a main frame member com rising a pair of channel beams secured bac to back, spacing means ada ted to space them apart, a bottom late a jacent one end of said beams, a toot ed bar slidable along said bottom plate, a lever pivoted to the channel beams thereabove, a pawl pivotedfon the bottom of said lever and adapted to enga e said toothed plate, a retaining pawl pivote above said plate between said channel beams, a jack positioned on said channel beams, an operative connection between said jack and said toothed bar, said jack comprising an element 'pivoted between said channel beams and a second element pivoted to the end o said first element, the end of said second element being slidable along said channel beamsl 21. In an automobile frame straightening device, a 'longitudinal main frame member, a jack positioned thereon and means for operating it, a plurality of wheels adapted to support said device, means for lifting said wheels from contact with the ground, comprising a rotatably mounted shaft, arms extending outwardly therefrom at right angles thereto, wheels mounted on the ends of said arms, and means for rotating said shaft.

22. In an automobile frame straightening devicea longitudinal main frame member, a lever jack positioned thereon and means for operating it comprising a lever pivoted on said frame member, a toothed bar slidable along said frame member, means on -said lever for engaging the teeth of 'said bar,

and a flexible connectien between said bar and said jack.

23.111 an automobile frame straightening device, a longitudinal main frame member, a lever jack positioned thereon and means for operating it comprising a lever pivoted on said frame member, a toothed barl slidable along said frame member, means on said lever for engaging the teeth of said bar, and a flexible connection between said bar and said Jack, a plurality of su porting wheels mounted on said frame mem er, and

means for lifting said wheels from contact with the ground.

24. In an automobile frame straightening device, a longitudinal main frame member, a lever jack positioned thereon and means for operating it comprising a lever pivoted on said frame member, a toothed bar `slidable 'along said frame member, Ameans on said lever for engaging the teeth of said bar, a flexible connection between said bar and said jack, a plurality ofr supporting wheels mounted on 'said frame member, means for lifting said wheels from y,contact with the ground, a double hook at the end of said toothed'bar, and a flexible connection between said hook and said jack.

25. In an automobile frame straightening device. a longitudinal main frame member,

ll() y a lever jack positioned thereon and means for operating it comprising a lever pivoted on said frame member, a toothed bar slidable along said frame member, meansv on said lever for engaging the teeth of said bar, a flexible connection between said bar and' said jack, a plurality of supporting Wheels mounted on said frame member, means for lifting said Wheels from contact with 'the ground, a double hook at the end of said toothed bar, and a flexible connection between said hook and saidjack, comprising a chain adapted to be dropped ,between the double hook at any point along its length.

26.111 an automobile frame straightener,

.a horizontal body member, frame engaging means projecting. upwardl therefrom, a lever pivoted on said bo y member and adapted' to rotate about a horizontal' axis transverse thereto, and flexible connecting means interposed between said .lever and the automobile frame, comprisinga chain one end of which is secured to thevlever and the other end of which is adapted to be secured to the lautomobile frame, and a uiding roller mounted on the horizontal bo y member.

27. In an automobile frame straightener, a horizontal body member, a jack element pivoted thereto intermediate the ends of the body member, a lever mounted on said body member, a flexible ,member adapted to be controlled by said lever, means for securing said flexible member to the automobile' frame, and means for actuating said lever.v

Signed at Chicago, county of vCook andl State of Illinois, this-11th day of October, 1924:.

PERCY o. HAWKINS. 

